Rights group insists July 1 demonstrations will be peaceful and constitutional, while traditional leaders warn that disrupting the M1 corridor could harm the economy.
NEWS| Infrastructure| Edwin Mauluka
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has defended its planned July 1 demonstrations demanding the rehabilitation of the Karonga-Chiweta stretch of the M1, insisting the protests will be peaceful despite growing concerns from traditional leaders and other stakeholders.
Responding to criticism on Thursday, HRDC chairperson Charles Kaiyatsa said the demonstrations would be conducted within the law and in line with constitutional guarantees of peaceful assembly.
“We wish to assure the public that any action undertaken by HRDC will be peaceful, lawful, and firmly grounded in the principles of non-violence as per Section 38 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi,” Kaiyatsa said.
Some traditional leaders and stakeholders in Karonga have expressed reservations about the planned demonstrations, arguing that any disruption to the M1 would affect one of Malawi’s most important transport corridors linking the country to Tanzania and its seaports.
Kaiyatsa said the demonstrations are intended to amplify the concerns of communities that have endured years of hardship, economic losses and safety risks because of the deteriorating state of the Karonga-Chiweta Road.
“The rehabilitation of the Karonga-Chiweta Road is not a favour from the government; it is a public obligation owed to the people of Malawi,” he said.
“As such, citizens have every right to demand timely action and accountability from those entrusted with public office. HRDC remains committed to constructive engagement, but equally remains committed to ensuring that the voices of affected communities are heard and acted upon.
“In a statement issued on Thursday, HRDC said peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate democratic tool for holding public officials accountable.
“Peaceful citizen action is not an act of hostility towards the government; it is a legitimate democratic tool for ensuring accountability and reminding public authorities of their obligations to the people,” the statement said.
What can be noted is that successive governments have promised to rehabilitate the Karonga-Chiweta Road, but the project has repeatedly been delayed.
HRDC said preparations for the demonstrations are at an advanced stage and are being conducted in accordance with the law.
On Wednesday, the Karonga District Chiefs’ Council appealed to civil society organisations to avoid violence, citing memories of the destructive 2019 protests.
Paramount Chief Kyungu, whose jurisdiction covers Chitipa and Karonga districts, argued that any attempt to shut down the road would undermine the country’s socio-economic interests.
“We say no to violent demonstrations whose scars are still fresh in Karonga. They destroyed our offices and public property in 2019,” Kyungu said.
He urged HRDC to engage the government through dialogue rather than demonstrations, warning that blocking the M1 would disrupt trade and damage the economy.
Karonga District CSO Network chairperson Edgar Phiri also distanced local civil society organisations from the planned protests, saying organisations from Karonga, Chitipa and Rumphi districts are not involved.
Following the chiefs’ briefing, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango and officials from the Roads Authority met the Karonga District Chiefs’ Council on Thursday to provide an update on the project.
Mhango said the Roads Authority had already advertised for contractors and expected construction to begin within two months.
“The Roads Authority has already placed adverts to source contractors. Within two months, the contractor will be on site,” he said.
Chief Kyungu welcomed the assurance but urged the government to deliver on its promise, saying communities have heard similar commitments before.
